Systems and methods for live media content matching

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for matching media content are disclosed, including: at a server, obtaining first media content from a client device, wherein the first media content item corresponds to a first portion of media content being played on the client device; obtaining second media content from a content source distinct from the server; comparing the first media content and the second media content; based on a determination that the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that is earlier than the first media content: obtaining third media content from the content source corresponding to a third portion of the media content subsequent to the second media content; comparing the first media content with the third media content; and based on a determination that the first and third media content are concurrent, identifying the first media content using identification information corresponding to the third media content.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/603,357, titled “Systems and Methods for Live Media Content Matching,” filed May 23, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/623,031, titled “Systems and Methods for Live Media Content Matching,” filed Sep. 19, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,661,361, issued May 23, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/536,779, titled “Generating a Sequence of Audio Fingerprints at a Set Top Box,” filed Jun. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,113,203, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed implementations relate generally to matching live media content.

BACKGROUND

Determining what media content a user is consuming (e.g., watching/listening to) has become increasingly important. For example, an online merchant might be interested in finding out which TV episode or movie a user is watching so that targeted promotion materials can be sent to the user. For another example, a recording company might want to recommend music similar to an audio stream being played on a user's computer. Typically, the media content a user is consuming can be determined by first sampling the user media content, and then comparing it with known media content provided by external sources. Difficulties arise; however, when media content received from the external sources do not accurately reflect what is being consumed by the user. For example, when the media content received from the external sources is significantly delayed, and as a result, lags behind the media content being consumed by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The implementations disclosed herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a distributed client-server system, in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a client device, in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a server system, in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one or more content feeds, in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for matching live media content in a client-server system, in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for matching live media content at a server system, in accordance with some implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The implementations described herein provide techniques for matching media content being displayed on a client device (e.g., a connected TV, a Google TV-enabled device) with known media content provided by content feeds, so as to determine or identify what media content is being displayed on the client device. These techniques are beneficial because they allow client devices, such as a connected TV or a Google TV-enabled device, to identify media content received via digital connections (e.g., HDMI), even when the media content is received without corresponding channel information.

First, in some implementations, a server receives, from a client device, first media content, which is a portion of media content being played on the client device (e.g., the second 10 seconds of a TV episode a user is watching on a Google TV). In some implementations, the first media content also has an expiration time (e.g., a 3 seconds window) to account for network delays between the client device and the server.

Next, in some implementations, the server receives, from one or more content feeds, second media content—also a portion of the media content being played on the client device (e.g., the first 10 seconds of the TV episode the user is watching on the Google TV). In some implementations, the server also receives information identifying the second media content (e.g., a title of the TV episode).

Then, in some implementations, the server determines whether the second media content has already been played on the client device. For example, the server determines whether the second media content represents a portion that is before or after the first media content. In some implementations, when the second media content has already been displayed on the client—e.g., the media content received from the content feeds lags behind the media content received from the client device—the server determines that the content feeds are slower in providing media content. In accordance with this determination, the server, after a certain amount of time (e.g., 50 milliseconds) passes (to allow the content feeds to catch up with the client device), receives third media content from the content feeds.

In some implementations, before the expiration time, the server receives the third media—a subsequent portion to the second media content (e.g., the second 10 seconds of the TV episode the user is watching)—and information identifying the third media content (e.g., the title of the TV episode). In some implementations, the server then compares the first media content with the third media content. When there is a match between the first and third media content, the server, using the information identifying the third media content, identifies what media content is being displayed on the client device.

In this way, even when the content feed is slower than the client device in providing the matching media content, the server is still able to ascertain what media content is being played on the client device, so that further actions can be taken. For example, after the server determines that a user is watching a Law and Order episode, another Law and Order episode, an episode of CSI (a program similar to Law and Order) and promotional materials may be provided to the user. Additional details of implementations are now described in relation to the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a distributed client-server system 100 for matching live media content. In some implementations, the distributed client-server system 100 includes a client device 102 (referred to herein as “client 102,” e.g., a connected TV or a Google TV), a broadcast system 104, a server system 106 (referred to herein as “server 106”), one or more content feeds 108, and one or more communication networks 110.

In some implementations, the client 102 receives media content 134 from the broadcast system 104 and/or the content feeds 108. In some implementations, the client 102 also displays a representation of the received media content 134. In some implementations, the client 102 optionally sends client data 136 and content fingerprint 132, or respective portion(s) thereof, to the broadcast system 104 and to the server 106 (via the one or more communication networks 110), respectively. In some implementations, the client 132 also sends media content 134 to the broadcast system 104 and to the server 106.

In some implementations, the client 102 includes a media content processing module 112, which processes (e.g., plays) the received media content 134 for a user to consume (e.g., watch and/or listen to). In some implementations, the media content processing module 112, optionally, generates one or more fingerprints of the media content being played on the client 102, and transmits the one or more content fingerprints 132 to the server 106. In some implementations, the media content processing module 112 includes a general purpose Internet browser (sometimes called a Web browser) having a plug-in (e.g., a Google TV plug-in) for playing the received media content 134. In some implementations, the media content processing module 112 includes a stand-alone media player.

In some implementations, the broadcast system 104 optionally includes a TV broadcast system, a radio broadcast system, a computer network, other types of networks, or a combination of these systems.

In some implementations, the server 106 includes a front end server 116, a comparison module 118, a content database 120, a fingerprint database 122, and, optionally, a fingerprint generation module 124. The front end server 116, in some implementations, receives respective media content 134 (or the content fingerprint 132), from the client 102 and the content feeds 108. The front end server 116, in some implementations, also sends comparison data 138 to the client 102, via the communication network(s) 110. In some implementations, the comparison module 118 compares media content and/or corresponding fingerprint(s) received from the client 102 with that received from the content feeds 108. In some implementations, the content database 120 stores media content received from the client 102 and from the content feeds 108. In some implementations, the fingerprint database 122 stores one or more fingerprints for media content received from the client 102 and from the content feeds 108. In some implementations, optionally, the fingerprint generation module 124 generates one or more fingerprints for the received media content 134, or portion(s) thereof.

In some implementations, the content feeds 108 include one or more content feeds that provide media streams, including media content being played on the client 102, or portion(s) thereof, to the server 106. In some implementations, the content feeds 108 include a video content feed 126, an audio content feed 128, and, optionally, one other content feed 130. In some implementations, the video content feed 126 provides, to the server 106, one or more video media streams (e.g., TV episodes, movies, and YouTube videos), including video media content being played on the client 102. In some implementations, the audio content feed 128 provides, to the server 106, one or more audio media streams (e.g., songs, podcasts, and audio books) or audio portions of video media streams, including audio media content being played on the client 102. In some implementations, the other content feed 130 provides, to the server 106, one or more other media streams, including media content being played on the client 102.

In some implementations, the communication network(s) 110 optionally includes the Internet, one or more local area networks (LANs), one or more wide area networks (WANs), other types of networks, or a combination of such networks.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a client device 102 (“client 102,” also called a client) in accordance with some implementations. The client device 102, in some implementations, includes one or more processing units CPU(s) 201 (also herein referred to as processors), a user interface 202 (comprising a keyboard and/or mouse 203, touchpad, touchscreen or other input device), one or more network interfaces 204, memory 206, media content input/output 230, TV remote control 232, and one or more communication buses 205 for interconnecting these components. The communication buses 205 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. The memory 206 typically includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory 206 optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from the CPU(s) 201. The memory 206, or alternatively the non-volatile memory device(s) within the memory 206, comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some implementations, the memory 206 or alternatively the non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset thereof:

-   -   an operating system 208, which includes procedures for handling         various basic system services and for performing hardware         dependent tasks;     -   a network communication module (or instructions) 210 for         connecting the client 102 with other devices (e.g., the         broadcast system 104 or the server 106) via one or more network         interfaces 204 (wired or wireless), and the one or more         communication networks 110 (FIG. 1); and     -   client data 136 stored on the client 102, which include:         -   media content 212-i (media content 212-1 through media             content 212-n) for including media content and/or             corresponding meta-data, received from the broadcast system             104 or the content feeds 108, for a user associated with the             client 102 to consume, including:             -   audio/video content 214-i for including audio and/or                 media content, or portion(s) thereof, corresponding to                 the media content 212-i;             -   meta-data 216-i for including meta-data (e.g., title,                 length, timestamps, or access history) associated with                 the audio/video content 214-i; and             -   optionally, content fingerprint 218-i for identifying                 audio/video content 214-i, or portion(s) thereof.

In some implementations, the client 102 also includes a display 114, a media content input/output 230, and a TV remote control 232. In some implementations, the display 114 includes a TV screen or a computer monitor. In some implementations, the media content input/output 230 includes a line-in/out port, and the TV remote control 232 includes a TV remote control device for controlling the client 102. In other implementations, the client 102 is a phone and includes a second screen application, which captures voice samples of the media content 134.

In some implementations, one or more of the above identified elements are stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices, and correspond to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (e.g., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various implementations. In some implementations, the memory 206 optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, the memory 206 may store additional modules and data structures not described above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the server system 106 (“server 106,” also called a server), in accordance with some implementations. The server 106 typically includes one or more processing units CPU(s) 302 (also herein referred to as processors), one or more network or other communications interfaces 304, the memory 306, and one or more communication buses 305 for interconnecting these components. The communication buses 305 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. The memory 306 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory 306 optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s) 302. The memory 306, or alternatively the non-volatile memory device(s) within the memory 306, comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some implementations, the memory 306 or alternatively the non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset thereof:

-   -   an operating system 308, which includes procedures for handling         various basic system services and for performing hardware         dependent tasks;     -   a network communication module (or instructions) 310 for         connecting the server 106 with other devices (e.g., the client         102 or the content feeds 108) via the one or more network         interfaces 304 (wired or wireless), and the communication         network(s) 110 (FIG. 1);     -   a front end server 116 for receiving media content 134 and/or         corresponding content fingerprint 132, from the client 102 and         from the content feeds 108, and transmitting comparison data 138         to other devices for further actions thereon (e.g., to a server         that generates advertising materials based on comparison data         138);     -   a comparison module 118 for comparing media content or         portion(s) thereof received from the client 102 with that         received from the content feeds 108, which includes:         -   a fingerprint matching module 312 for matching             fingerprint(s) for media content received from the client             102 with fingerprint(s) for media content received from the             content feeds 108;     -   a content database 120 for storing, on the server 106, media         content received from the client 102 or from the content feeds         108, or portion(s) thereof, including:         -   media content 212-i (media content 212-1 through media             content 212-n) for including media content and related data             received from the broadcast system 104 or from the content             feeds 108, for a user associated with the client 102 to             consume (e.g., watch or listen to), including:             -   audio/video content 214-i for including audio or video                 media content, or portion(s) thereof, corresponding to                 the media content 212-i; and             -   meta-data 216-i for including meta-data (e.g., title,                 length, timestamps, or access history) associated with                 the audio/video content 214-i; and     -   a fingerprint database 122 for storing, on the server 106,         fingerprints received from the client 102 or from the content         feeds 108, or fingerprints generated by the fingerprint         generation module 124, which includes:         -   content fingerprint 218-i (content fingerprint 218-1 through             content fingerprint 218-n) for including content fingerprint             corresponding to the media content 212-i, including:             -   an identifier 320-i for uniquely identifying a content                 fingerprint;             -   audio information 322-i for including a fingerprint or                 other compressed representation of a predefined portion                 (e.g., a predefined number of seconds or minutes) of an                 audio stream or the audio portion of a video stream;             -   video information 324-i for including a fingerprint or                 other compressed representation of a predefined portion                 (e.g., a predefined number of frames, seconds or                 minutes) of a video stream; and             -   a list of associated files 326-i for including one or                 more files that include the media content associated                 with the content fingerprint 218-i, or pointers to the                 one or more files;     -   optionally, a fingerprint generation module 124 for generating         one or more fingerprints using media content received from the         client 102 or that received from the content feeds 108; and     -   comparison data 138 for including result(s) for comparing         fingerprint(s) corresponding to media content received from the         client 102 with fingerprint(s) corresponding to media content         received from the content feeds 108.

In some implementations, one or more of the above identified elements are stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices, and corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (e.g., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various implementations. In some implementations, the memory 306 optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, Memory 306 optionally stores additional modules and data structures not described above.

Although FIG. 3 shows a “server system 106,” also referred to as a server, FIG. 3 is intended more as functional description of the various features which may be present in backend system than as a structural schematic of the implementations described herein. In practice, and as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, items shown separately could be combined and some items could be separated.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the one or more content feeds 108 (“content feeds 108”), in accordance with some implementations. The content feeds 108 typically include one or more processing units CPU(s) 402 (also herein referred to as processors), one or more network or other communications interfaces 404, memory 406, and one or more communication buses 405 for interconnecting these components. The communication buses 405 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. The memory 406 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory 406 optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s) 402. The memory 406, or alternatively the non-volatile memory device(s) within the memory 406, comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some implementations, the memory 406, or alternatively the non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset thereof:

-   -   an operating system 408, which includes procedures for handling         various basic system services and for performing hardware         dependent tasks;     -   a network communication module (or instructions) 410 for         connecting content feeds 108 with other devices (e.g., the         client 102, the broadcast system 104 or the server 106) via the         one or more network interfaces 404 (wired or wireless), and the         communication network(s) 110 (FIG. 1);     -   video content feed(s) 126 for providing video media content,         including media content being displayed on the client 102,         including:         -   video content 412 for including video media content (e.g., a             TV episode, a movie, a YouTube steam) received from the             broadcast system 104 or from the content feeds 108;         -   meta-data 414 for including meta-data associated with the             video content 412; and         -   optionally, content fingerprint 416 for including             fingerprint(s) corresponding to the video content 412 or             portion(s) thereof;     -   audio content feed(s) 128 for providing audio media content or         audio portion of video media content, including:         -   audio content 418 for including audio media content (e.g., a             song, an audio book, or an audio recording) received from             the broadcast system 104 or from the content feeds 108;         -   meta-data 420 for including meta-data associated with the             audio content 418; and         -   optionally, content fingerprint 422 for including             fingerprint(s) corresponding to the audio content 418, or             portion(s) thereof; and     -   other content feed(s) 130 for providing other media content,         including media content being displayed on the client 102         -   other content 424 for including other media content received             from the broadcast system 104 or from the content feeds 108;         -   meta-data 426 for including meta-data associated with the             other content 424; and         -   optionally, content fingerprint 428 for including             fingerprint(s) corresponding to the other content 424, or             portion(s) thereof.

In some implementations, one or more of the above identified elements are stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices, and corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (e.g., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various implementations. In some implementations, the memory 406 optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, the memory 406 optionally stores additional modules and data structures not described above.

Although FIG. 4 shows one “content feeds 108.” FIG. 4 is intended more as functional description of the various features which may be present in backend system than as a structural schematic of the implementations described herein. In practice, and as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, items shown separately could be combined and some items could be separated.

FIG. 5 includes a flowchart illustrating a method 500 for matching live media content in a client-server system, in accordance with some implementations. In some implementations, the method 500 is performed by one or more modules on the client 102.

In some implementations, the client 102 sends (502) first media content to the server 106. In some implementations, the content feeds 108 also send (504) second media content to server 106. In some implementations, the first media content and the second media content are sent to the server 106 at or around the same time. In some implementations, the first media content and the second media content are sent to the server 106 within a predefined time interval (e.g., within 5 milliseconds) of each other.

In some implementations, the first media content is media content, or a portion thereof, the client 102 received from a content provider (e.g., YouTube), the second media content is media content, or a portion thereof, the content feeds 108 received from the same or another content provider, matching the first media content.

In some implementations, at or around substantially the same time (e.g., live), the server 106 obtains (506, 508) the first and second media content. In some implementations, to account for any potential delays, the first and second media content are obtained within a predefined time interval (e.g., 1 millisecond) of each other. In some implementations, the potential delays include delays (e.g., delays due to network performance) between the client 102 and the server 106, and delays between the content feeds 108 and the server 106.

In some implementations, after the first and second media content are obtained, the server 106, optionally, compares (510) the first and second media content, to determine whether media content received from the client 102 (e.g., the first media content) matches media content (e.g., the second media content) received from the content feeds 108, and if so, using meta-data (e.g., title information) associated with the second media content to identify what media content (e.g., the first media content) is being played on client 102.

In other implementations, the comparison between the first and second media content occurs on other devices, such as on the client 102 or on other server(s) 106, and result thereof is transmitted afterwards to the server 106. In some embodiments, comparing the first and second media content includes comparing the fingerprint of the first media content with the fingerprint of the second media content. In some embodiments, media content fingerprints are generated by the server 106 (e.g. by the fingerprint generation module 124). In other embodiments, media content fingerprints are generated by the client 102 (e.g., by the media content processing module 112) and/or by content feeds 108, and then transmitted to the server 106 for comparison.

In some implementations, after the first and second media content are compared, the server 106 optionally determines (512) whether the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has been played on the client. For example, in some implementations, the first media content includes a portion of the media content being played on the client 102 at a predefined time, and the second media content includes another portion of the media content being played on the client 102. In some implementations, both the first and second media content are portions of same video content (e.g., a same TV episode or a same YouTube stream) or same audio content (a same MP3 song or a same audio steam) being played on the client 102. In some implementations, therefore, based on the comparison between the first and second media content, the server 106 determines whether the second media content (received from content feeds) is (1) an earlier portion to the first media content—e.g., the second media content has been played on the client 102; (2) a subsequent portion to the first media content—e.g., the second media content has been played on the client 102; or (3) concurrent with (e.g., substantially the same as) the first media content.

In some implementations, if the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has been played on the client 102 (“Yes,” 514)—e.g., the second media content has already been played on the client 102—the content feeds 108 send (516) third media content to the server 106. In some implementations, the third media content is media content, or a portion thereof, the server 106 received from the content provider that provides the first and second media content.

In some implementations, the first media content is associated with a predefined expiration time (e.g., as specified in a timestamp associated with the first media content). In some implementations, before the predefined expiration time, the server 106 obtains (518) the third media content from the content feeds 108. In some implementations, the predefined expiration time is sufficient to ensure that the second and third media content belong to same media content—for example, two portions of a same movie, because, after an extended period of time, the first content might no longer accurately reflect what is being displayed on the client 102—a user might have switched from one TV channel to another after the first media content is obtained by the server 106.

In some implementations, the server 106 further compares (520) the first media content with the third media content, e.g., to determine whether the third media content is a subsequent or an earlier portion to, or concurrent with the first media content. In some implementations, if the third media content is not received before the predefined expiration time, the server 106 returns a predefined comparison result (e.g., a mismatch).

Alternatively, in some implementations, if the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has not yet been played on the client 102 (“No,” 522)—e.g., the second media content has not yet been played on the client 102—the client 102 sends (524) fourth media content to the server 106. In some implementations, after a predefined time period (e.g., a predefined time interval after the determination (512)), the server 106 obtains (524) the fourth media content from the client 102. In some implementations, the predefined time interval is sufficient for the media content provided by the content feeds 108 to catch up with the second media content. In some implementations, the predefined time interval is also sufficient to ensure that the first and fourth media content belong to same media content—for example, two portions of a same movie, because a user might have switched to different media content (e.g., switching from one TV channel to another) after an extended period of time.

In some implementations, the server 106 then compares (528) the second media content with the fourth media content, e.g., to determine whether the fourth media content is a subsequent or an earlier portion to, or concurrent with the second media content.

In some implementations, when there is a match (e.g., between the first and third media content, or between the second and fourth media content), the server 106 retrieves meta-data associated with media content received from content feeds 108 (e.g., the third or second media content), and associates the respective meta-data with the media content received from the client 102 (the first or fourth media content), e.g., to identify what media content a user associated with the client 102 is consuming.

FIG. 6 includes a flowchart 600 illustrating a method for matching live media content in at a server system, in accordance with some implementations. In some implementations, the method 500 is performed by one or more modules on the server 106.

In some implementations, the server 106 obtains (602) first media content from the client 102. In some implementations, the first media content corresponds (604) to a portion (a predefined number of frames or a predefined length) of media content being played on the client 102. In some implementations, the first media content corresponds (604) to (e.g., includes or is) a portion of the media content being played on the client 102—for example, the first 10 seconds of an MP3 song or the first 1000 frames of a TV episode, being played on the client 102. In some implementations, the first media content is also associated with a predefined expiration time, for example, as specified in a timestamp associated with the first media content. In some implementations, predefined expiration time specifies a time frame (e.g., 5, 10 or 15 milliseconds) during which the first media is valid for comparison (e.g., with the second or third media content). In some implementations, after the passage of the time frame, as specified in the predefined expiration time, the server 106 returns a predefined comparison result (e.g., a mismatch or an error message).

In some implementations, the server 106 also obtains (606) second media content from the client 102. In some implementations, the first media content also corresponds (608) to (e.g., includes or is) a portion of the media content being played on the client 102. In some implementations, the first and second media content are two portions of the media content being played on the client device (e.g., two different portions of the MP3 song or the TV episode). In some implementations, the first media content is a subsequent portion of the media content to the second portion—for example, the second 10 seconds of an MP3 song or the second 1000 frames of a TV episode, being played on the client 102.

In some implementations, the first media content and the second media content are obtained at a same or substantially same predefined time, or within a predefined time interval of each other (e.g., to account for differential network delays between from the client 102 to the server 108 and from the content feeds 108 to the client 102). In some implementations, the server 106 determines whether the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has been played on the client device (e.g., the portion represented by the first media content). For example, because, in some implementations, the first media content is a portion of media content being displayed on the client 102, the above mentioned determination is made by: comparing the first and the second media content, or comparing one or more respective fingerprints corresponding to the first and the second media content.

In some implementations, determining whether the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has been played on the client device includes 1). obtaining a first content fingerprint using the first media content, 2). obtaining a third content fingerprint using the third media content, and 3). comparing the first content fingerprint with the second fingerprint. In some implementations, a content fingerprint (e.g., content fingerprint 218-1, FIG. 3) includes information that identifies a portion of media content, for example, a predefined number of frames (e.g., video information 324-1, FIG. 3) in video media content, or a predefined audio clip (e.g., audio information 312-1, FIG. 3) in audio media content. In some implementations, a content fingerprint includes at least one of: average zero cross rate, estimate tempo, average spectrum, spectral flatness, prominent tones cross a set of bands, and bandwidth.

In some implementations, the media content provided by the content feeds 108 lags behind the media content provided by the client 102 (e.g., the client 102 is ahead of the content feeds 108). Therefore, in some implementations, in accordance with a determination (610) that the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has been played on the client 102, the server 106 obtains (612) third media content (e.g., a subsequent portion to the second media content), which also corresponds to the media content being played on the client device, from the one or more content feeds 108.

In some implementations, the server 106 obtains the third media content after a predefined amount of time, so that media content received from the content feeds 108 can catch up with the media content received from the client 102. For example, if the first media content received from the client 102 is the second 5 seconds of a TV episode, and the second media content received from the content feeds 108 is the first 5 seconds of the same TV episode, the server 106 waits for 5 seconds, before obtaining the third media content, which, in many situations, would likely be the second 5 seconds of the TV episode, because after the 5-second delay, subsequent media content (e.g., the third media content) received from the content feeds 108 has likely caught up with the media content (e.g., the first media content) received from the client 102. In some implementations, the third media content is obtained before the predefined expiration time (e.g., as specified in a timestamp) to ensure the second and third media content are portion of same media content (e.g., a user has not switched channels). In some implementations, when the third media content is not obtained before the predefined expiration time, the server 106 returns a predefined comparison result, such as a mismatch or an error.

In some implementations, after obtaining the third media content, the server 106 compares (614) the first media content with the third media content. In some implementations, comparing the first media content with the third media content includes, obtaining and comparing respective content fingerprint(s) for the first and third media content. In some implementations, the second and third media content are two different portions of same media content (e.g., two different portions of a same TV episode), and the third media content is a portion subsequent to the second media content. For example, the second media content is the first 5 minutes of a TV episode and the third media content is the second 5 minutes of the same TV episode. In some implementations, the server 106 returns a predefined matching result (e.g., a match) when the first and third media content substantially match each other. This approaches is beneficial because it allows matching media content received from the client 102 with media content received from the content feeds 108, even when the media content from the content feeds 108 lags behind that from the client 102 (e.g., the content feeds 108 is slower than the client 102).

Alternatively, in some implementations, the media content provided by the client 102 lags behind that provided by the content feeds 108 (e.g., the media content 108 is ahead of the client 102). Therefore, in some implementations, in accordance with a determination (616) that the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has been played on the client device, the server 106, the server 106 obtains (618) fourth media content, from the client 102. In some implementations, the server 106 obtains the fourth media content after a predefined amount of time (e.g., the predefined time interval), so that media content received from the client 102 can catch up with the media content received from the content feeds 108. For example, if the first media content received from the client 102 is the first 5 seconds of a TV episode, and the second media content received from the content feeds 108 is the seconds 5 seconds of the same TV episode, the server 106 waits for 5 seconds or more, before obtaining from the client 102 the fourth media content, which may, in many situations, likely be the second 5 seconds of the TV episode, because after the 5-second delay, subsequent media content received from the client 102 (e.g., the fourth media content) has likely caught up with the media content received from (the second media content) the content feeds 108. In some implementations, when the fourth media content is not obtained before a predefined expiration time, the server 106 returns a predefined comparison result, such as a mismatch or an error.

In some implementations, after obtaining the fourth media content, the server 106 compares (614) the second media content with the fourth media content. In some implementations, comparing the second media content with the fourth media content includes, obtaining and comparing respective content fingerprint(s) for the second and fourth media content. In some implementations, the first and fourth media content are two different portions of same media content, and the fourth media content is a portion subsequent to the first media content. For example, the first media content is the first 5 seconds of a TV episode and the fourth media content is the second 5 seconds of the same TV episode. In some implementations, the server 106 returns a predefined matching result (e.g., a match) when the second and fourth media content substantially match each other. These approaches also are beneficial because it allows matching media content received from the client 102 with media content received from the content feeds 108, when the media content from the client 102 lags behinds that received from the content feeds 108 (e.g., the content feeds 108 is faster than the client 102).

In some implementations, the media content provided by the content feeds 108 is concurrent with that provided by the client 102, for example, when there is no significant lag between the client 102 and the content feeds 108. In some implementations, the server 106 returns a predefined matching result (e.g., a match) when the first and second media content substantially match each other.

In some implementations, after one or more comparisons of the media content (the first with the third, the second with the fourth, or the first with the second) are completed, and a matching result is received. If there is a match, the server 106, in some implementations, using the meta-data associated with the third or second media content received from the content feeds 108, to determine identity (e.g., title information) of the first or fourth media content, respectively.

In some implementations, after the identity (e.g., title or author information) of the media content being displayed on the client 102 is determined, further actions, such as sending related advertising materials, or recommending related media content (e.g., another song by the same recording artist), are taken.

The methods illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be governed by instructions that are stored in a computer readable storage medium and that are executed by at least one processor of at least one host device (or at least one server). Each of the operations shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may correspond to instructions stored in a non-transitory computer memory or computer readable storage medium. In various implementations, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes a magnetic or optical disk storage device, solid state storage devices such as Flash memory, or other non-volatile memory device or devices. The computer readable instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be in source code, assembly language code, object code, or other instruction format that is interpreted and/or executable by one or more processors.

Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. Finally, boundaries between various components, operations, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of the implementation(s). In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the implementation(s).

It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first media content could be termed a second media content, and, similarly, a second media content could be termed a first media content, which changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first media content” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second media content” are renamed consistently. The first media content, and the second media content are both media content, but they are not the same media content.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined (that a stated condition precedent is true)” or “if (a stated condition precedent is true)” or “when (a stated condition precedent is true)” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting” or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.

The foregoing description included example systems, methods, techniques, instruction sequences, and computing machine program products that embody illustrative implementations. For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide an understanding of various implementations of the inventive subject matter. It will be evident, however, to those skilled in the art that implementations of the inventive subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In general, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific implementations. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The implementations were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the implementations and various implementations with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: at a server having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors: obtaining a first media content item from a client device, wherein the first media content item corresponds to a first portion of media content being played on the client device; obtaining a second media content item from a content source distinct from the server; comparing the first media content item and the second media content item; in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is earlier than the first media content item from the client device: obtaining a third media content item from the content source, wherein the third media content item corresponds to a third portion of the media content subsequent to the second media content item; and comparing the first media content item with the third media content item; and in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and third media content items, that the first media content item from the client device is concurrent with the third media content item from the content source: identifying the first media content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the third media content item from the content source.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is subsequent to the first media content item from the client device: obtaining, from the client device, a fourth media content item corresponding to a fourth portion of the media content subsequent to the first media content item; and comparing the second media content item with the fourth media content item; and in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the second and fourth media content items, that the second media content item is concurrent with the fourth media content item from the client device: identifying the fourth media content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the second media content item from the content source.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is concurrent with the first media content item from the client device: identifying the first content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the second media content item from the content source.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first media content item and the second media content item are obtained at a same predefined time.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a first content fingerprint using the first media content item; and obtaining a second content fingerprint using the third media content item.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing the first media content item with the third media content item comprises: comparing the first content fingerprint with the second content fingerprint.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first content fingerprint includes at least one of: average zero cross rate, estimate tempo, average spectrum, spectral flatness, prominent tones cross a set of bands, and bandwidth.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is one of: a clip of a video or audio steam, or a predefined number of frames of a video stream.
 9. A server system, comprising: one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: obtaining a first media content item from a client device, wherein the first media content item corresponds to a first portion of media content being played on the client device; obtaining a second media content item from a content source distinct from the server; comparing the first media content item and the second media content item; in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is earlier than the first media content item from the client device: obtaining a third media content item from the content source, wherein the third media content item corresponds to a third portion of the media content subsequent to the second media content item; and comparing the first media content item with the third media content item; and in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and third media content items, that the first media content item from the client device is concurrent with the third media content item from the content source: identifying the first media content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the third media content item from the content source.
 10. The server system of claim 9, wherein the one or more programs comprise instruction for: in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is subsequent to the first media content item from the client device: obtaining, from the client device, a fourth media content item corresponding to a fourth portion of the media content subsequent to the first media content item; and comparing the second media content item with the fourth media content item; and in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the second and fourth media content items, that the second media content item is concurrent with the fourth media content item from the client device: identifying the fourth media content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the second media content item from the content source.
 11. The server system of claim 9, wherein the one or more programs comprise instruction for: in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is concurrent with the first media content item from the client device: identifying the first content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the second media content item from the content source.
 12. The server system of claim 9, wherein the first media content item and the second media content item are obtained at a same predefined time.
 13. The server system of claim 9, wherein the one or more programs comprise instruction for: obtaining a first content fingerprint using the first media content; and obtaining a second content fingerprint using the third media content.
 14. The server system of claim 13, wherein comparing the first media content item with the third media content item comprising: comparing the first content fingerprint with the second content fingerprint.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a computer system, the one or more programs including instructions for: obtaining a first media content item from a client device, wherein the first media content item corresponds to a first portion of media content being played on the client device; obtaining a second media content item from a content source distinct from the computer system; comparing the first media content item and the second media content item; in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is earlier than the first media content item from the client device: obtaining a third media content item from the content source, wherein the third media content item corresponds to a third portion of the media content subsequent to the second media content item; and comparing the first media content item with the third media content item; and in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and third media content items, that the first media content item from the client device is concurrent with the third media content item from the content source: identifying the first media content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the third media content item from the content source.
 16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is subsequent to the first media content item from the client device: obtaining, from the client device, a fourth media content item corresponding to a fourth portion of the media content subsequent to the first media content item; and comparing the second media content item with the fourth media content item; and in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the second and fourth media content items, that the second media content item is concurrent with the fourth media content item from the client device: identifying the fourth media content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the second media content item from the content source.
 17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: in accordance with a determination, based on the comparing of the first and second media content items, that the second media content item from the content source corresponds to a portion of the media content that is concurrent with the first media content item from the client device: identifying the first content item from the client device using identification information corresponding to the second media content item from the content source.
 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the first media content item and the second media content item are obtained at a same predefined time.
 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: obtain a first content fingerprint using the first media content item; and obtain a second content fingerprint using the third media content item.
 20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein comparing the first media content item with the third media content item comprises: comparing the first content fingerprint with the second content fingerprint. 